Previous sessions in focus

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-10-16 08:07

The 1st session (2000)

The first Western China International Economy and Trade Fair

With a total of 1,200 exhibition booths and a 30,000 sq m exhibition area, the fair attracted 138 overseas businesspeople from 17 countries and regions. More than 5,000 business and governmental representatives from 16 provinces and regions also participated in the event.

The host province Sichuan signed some 100 projects worth more than 13.76 billion yuan at the fair.

The 2nd session (2001)

With the Hong Kong Trade Development Council as one of the fair's three joint sponsors, cooperation with Hong Kong became a highlight of the event.

The event covered 23,000 sq m, featured 11,100 booths and attracted 900 exhibitors and 100,000 visitors.

Sichuan signed trade contracts worth 17.3 billion yuan and agreed 165 projects, with a total investment value of 14 billion yuan.

The 3rd session (2002)

More than 1,400 overseas businesspeople from 30 countries and regions participated in the event. The fair highlighted four industries - IT, food, agriculture and culture. More than 1,000 exhibitors booked over 1,400 booths in the 30,000 sq me exhibition area.

A total of 267 projects, worth nearly 20 billion yuan, were agreed and 48 trade transactions made.

The 4th session (2003)

More than 150,000 visitors from around the world participated in the event, including some 1,300 businesspeople from 37 countries and regions.

A total of 220 projects, worth some 25.2 billion yuan, and deals worth nearly 9.9 billion yuan were signed during the event.

With a 35,000 sq m exhibition area and more than 2,000 booths, the event was the number one exhibition in the western regions.

Since this session, international purchase promotion has been a part of the annual event. During this session, over 60 purchasers including those from about 20 Fortune 500 companies and 700 suppliers participated in the negotiation talks.

The 5th session (2004)

More than 10 foreign ministerial officials and nine ambassadors to China were present and made presentations during the event.

Promoted by a series of concurrent activities, the event saw 11.3 billion yuan contracts and 25.5 billion yuan projects signed.

The 6th session (2005)

With national-themed business day activities related to South Korea, Thailand, France and India as highlights, the fair attracted businesspeople from 45 countries and regions.

More than 2,000 exhibitors, including some 1,000 renowned domestic and foreign companies, showcased their state-of-the-art technologies and products in the 60,000 sq m exhibition hall.

In total, deals of 11 billion yuan and projects worth 23.1 billion yuan were signed.

The 7th session (2006)

With nine exhibition halls, the fair attracted 103 trade delegations, 18,000 businesspeople and 250,000 visitors from 53 countries and regions.

A total of 263 projects with a total investment value close to 40 billion yuan and 148 contracts worth about 12.8 billion yuan were agreed.

During the event, seven cities in the host province established friendship ties with foreign sister cities.

The 8th session (2007)

More than 20 foreign ministerial officials, 48 trade delegations and 350,000 participants were attracted to the fair.

Nearly 4,700 exhibitors, from 24 countries and regions, displayed their products, including more than 100 Chinese industrial players.

Britain, Brazil, the Czech republic and Italy made their debuts at this session.

The fair saw 542 projects, with a total investment value of more than 55.8 billion yuan, and 215 contracts, worth close to 18.8 billion yuan, signed.

The 9th session (2008)

High-ranking governmental officials, corporate executives, trade association leaders and businesspeople from 56 countries and regions participated in the event.

Nearly 800 projects, with a total investment value surpassing 300 billion yuan, were signed.

During the first purchaser annual conference, a concurrently-run activity held during the event, 48.3 billion yuan's worth of contracts were signed.

(China Daily 10/16/2009 page10)